Police believe only one in 10 distraction burglaries are reported

Operation Litotes was set up to catch bogus callers and is said to be having the desired effect.

Nationally, only 7% of distraction burglary crimes are solved.

But in Devon and Cornwall, the clear-up rate has been almost four times that in the past year.

In April last year, officers began a major operation to encourage elderly people to take extra steps to protect themselves from bogus callers who might be trying to steal from them.

Detection rates

Offenders often pose as officials from utility companies, and try to trick their way into people's homes.

The high-profile campaign has led to more distraction burglaries being reported and an increase in detection rates.

But the police still believe distraction burglary is under-reported.

Their research suggests there maybe as many as 10 such crimes for every one they are told about.